In The News

From Left: Jorge, Clark, Bob, Rich, Matt, Elvis, Damon, Tony

You Asked For It

Chicago area cyclists finally have what they all have been asking for, a forum dedicated to anything cycling related in the area. The Chicago Cycling Forums were created by Waylon Janowiak and includes topics such as cyclocross, Super Week and the velodrome. Look for CCF to quickly become the hub of cycling information, as well as a networking site for area cyclists and racers alike. Great, now I have another site in which to waste even more time...I mean devote to researching cycling.

VOTE!

Stop reading this immediately and go VOTE! White, Black, Hispanic, Asian, young, old, fast, slow, shaved legs, hairy legs, cat 5, cat 1, northside, southside, city, suburbs, democrat, republican, conservative, liberal, moderate, gay, straight, undecided, Muslim, Christain, Jew, first time voter, doesn't matter. Just get out and Vote. You owe it to your country!

Results Up For St.Charles Campton Cross

USAC has updated the results page from this Sundays installment of the Chicago Cyclocross Cup Series in St. Charles.
Click here for info.

Results Official For Bartlett 'Cross

The officials wasted no time in making the results official for the 5th stop of the Chicago Cyclocross Cup in Bartlett. While the results are not yet available on the Series website, they are available on USAC.

The overall has also been updated here.

Mens 4A
Damon 19th
Tony 23rd
Elvis 28th
Patrick 30th

Mens 4B
Bob 19th
Jorge 20th
Joe 35th
Sergio 36th

Sweeeet!!!

Thanks to Ben, I came across a Velonews article that had a great photo of him and even named him in the caption. It is great to see him getting some national exposure that he deserves. Well, while reading the article I come across another picture from the Carpentersville race. This time though there is no mention of names, or even faces, but hot damn! the photo that Imelda chose to accompany her article has ME in it. Well at least my legs. I guess I will take all the exposure I can get for the team. Ha! The photo also appears on CX Magazine as well.

The article was written by Imelda March from the Chicago Cyclocross Cup Series and features photos from Amy and Luke.

Whoop! Whoop! Traffic Alert! Whoop! Whoop!

Re-posted from the Chicago Cross Cup website:

ROAD CLOSURE INFO FOR CARPENTERSVILLE

For those travelling on Rt. 31, it will be closed to through traffic on the day of the race between Route 72 (Higgens) and Route 62 (Algonquin Road). This means you may still be able to get through, but it may take a while. If you detour to Rt 25 , turn West (light) on Lake Marion Rd in Carpentersville, left on L.W. Besinger Dr, and a right on Maple Ave. Maple will take you directly to Carpenter Park.

Might I suggest MapQuest

For more info about the race in Carpentersville click here.

You Can Help Make Cycling Better

On October 25th there will be an open meeting of the Board of Directors of the ICA to discuss news and events for the upcoming 2009 season. Clubs and club members are invited to join the meeting so that their voice may be heard on issues regarding racing in Illinois.

The ICA is also seeking more involvement from members to help better organize and promote racing in Illinois. Believe it or not the ICA takes it cues from the bicycle racing community. That includes you and me and anyone else who races. In order to better represent us, the ICA needs as much involvement as possible. 2008 was an incredible year for racing, lets help to insure that 2009 is even better.

A few of the key areas that the ICA is working on will include more officials for 2009, more involvement in the different committees involved in organizing races, and adding more races to the calendar by networking with new promoters.

If you have ever been frustated with an official or something else that happened during a race that was perhaps unsafe, now is your chance to do something about it. Having an official amongst your members would be an invaluable resource, for more info click here.

Most association have an active and involved committee structure that helps to promote their mission. For the ICA, those issues range from womens racing to juniors racing, to masters racing, to finding good venues for races, to club development, to marketing, to web site development, to finance and more. If any particular issue is your area of expertise or interest and you'd like to get involved, we encourage you to show up to this first meeting. We will be reviewing our standing committees to make sure they align with our mission and we'll be looking for good people to join these committees.

Also being discussed on an ongoing basis within the ICA is adding new races to the schedule. If you are a promoter the ICA will help to promote and organize your race. By working with the ICA, they can also work to avoid schedule conflicts so that your race gets the largest draw it can.

For more info about the meeting scheduled for October 25th in Lisle, check here.

GET INVOLVED!!!

Update From The Chicago Cyclocross Cup

If you raced on Sunday in DeKalb and are waiting for your results to posted, please be patient. The reults were scanned in and transmitted in a document that is proving difficult to read. The results are being transcribed with the help of USAC officials and will be posted soon.

The third race of the Chicago Cyclocross Cup is scheduled for Sunday, October 12. For directions click here.

The Hawthorn Woods race will feature the following:

(1) Food Vendor: Little Joey's
(2) Goodie bag for every registered racer
(3) An increase total purse of $450 for the Elite 1/2/3 race (larger than most races) thanks to contributions from Alberto's Cycles of Highland Park
(4) Garden hose with water hook to wash bikes (if necessary)
(5) Chiropractor providing adjustments
(6) A grueling toboggan hill with multiple run ups

(7) Master's 30+, 40+ and 50+ will be paid and extra $50 for winning their age group. This extra incentive is possible via the contributions of Village CycleSport (Elk Grove Village, Arlington Heights, and Barrington)

Bob did a little internet sleuthing and came up with this little goodie about Sunday. That hill doesn't look too bad. Does it?

VeloSnaps Photos Now Up

Carolyn Golz is another photographer who makes it out to almost all Chicago area races. Her photos from DeKalb are now avaialble for viewing and purchase here.
Just like Ed, her photos start at only $2 and can even be made into a poster size. She has over 30 albums available for viewing, so chances are if you raced this year, she has a great photo of you.

Support Ed White

Photo Courtesy of Ed White.


Many of you may have seen his incredible photos, but few may know his name. Edmund White shows up to nearly every Chicago area race and snaps as many great photos as he can. His photos are often linked to on Chicago Bike Racing and they are also featured on the Chicago Cyclocross Cup homepage.

Not many people realize that his entire collection of photos that he posts on flickr
are available for sale via his SmugMug page. His photos start at only $2 each for a 4x6 and every photo can be cropped to your liking. Help support someone who comes out and makes us look good every weekend.

Its Official!

The reults are now posted and complete for the Illinois Cycling Associations Illinois Cup Series and our man Elvis Falbo has won the Masters 30+ 4-5 category for the 2008 road season.

While he did not race all of the ten races in the series, the 5 races that he did compete in he scored valuable points. Perhaps his biggest achievement of the season came early when he took his first victory at the 2nd Annual Vernon Hills Grand Prix. It was in fact this win that secured his place in the overall. Initially the ICA had recorded his points as a Masters 40+ 4-5, not the 30+ like it should have. This oversight would have placed him 4th overall. However a bit of detective work and a few emails later and Elvis was back at the top of the standings where he belonged.

Congratulations go out to both Elvis and the team for this great achievement in just our first year of racing.

Chicago Cyclocross Google Forum

Ben has come through again for us cyclocross fans here in the Chicago Area. After speaking with like minded racers he has created the Chicago Cyclocross Group on Google. It is a free and public forum so we encourage everyone to join, or at least use it as a reference to everything 'cross related.

BBVP Becomes Presenting Sponsor at Oakbrook

We are excited to announce that we have become the presenting sponsor of the Illinois State Championships Road Race on Saturday August 23rd. Through the commitment of our sponsors Beverly Bike and Vee Pak, Inc., BBVP has been able to help the sport of cycling in Illinois grow and prosper by supporting major races during the 2008 season.

For a full schedule of the days events check out the races homepage here

Willow Springs TT Set for August 24th

The Willow Springs Stage for the HomeMade Pizza Co. Chicago Time Trail Series will be run on August 24th starting at 9 am.

The course is set almost entirely within Forest Preserve property and therefore provides the most scenic race you will do this year. Right out of the start you will hit the 6% 1.5K climb that will determine the KoM for the day. On the back side of the climb riders can hit 40mph on the straight downhill run towards 107th St. Mix in some brand new pavement and a few rolling sections and this course will bring out the best in everyone.

Race day registration opens at 7:00 am and closes at 9:30, with the first rider going of at 9:00 sharp. Once again, the earlier you register, the earlier you race!
For more info check out the Series Homepage
or drop us a line.

Major Announcement Coming Soon!

Check back soon as a major announcement will be coming regarding the team and its involvement in the sport of cycling!

A Geat Start To SuperWeek

The residents and fans that braved the heat and humidity last night were treated to a spectacular kick off to SuperWeek. The pace was high from the first lap, and those caught off guard were quickly shot out the back. The race also made quite a few men richer last night with primes offered every few laps, my guess being that a few thousand dollars were given away in primes alone. Rahsan Bahati (Rock Racing) took advantage of the veritable ATM at the finish line and collected his fair share of primes himself. Meanwhile, Sterling Magnell (Rock Racing) was working the group that he was in, and taking advantage of the primes as well. Since the entire course was wired with a PA system, the two Rock Racing teammates were able to cheer for one another as their prime wins were announced even though they were seperated by half a lap.

Eventually a ten man break formed and lapped the field, causing a bit of confusion everytime the came as you weren't sure if you were looking at the leaders or not. In the end it came down to two sprints, one for the break and the second for what remained of the decimated field. The first sprint was for 11th, and Rahsan Bahati easily took that, then about a minute later the field came charging with Sterling Magnell just pipping local boy Chad Hartley from Jittery Joes.

As for us, BBVP had a great time highlighting a great race and great neighborhood. Our sponsors, Beverly Bike & Ski and Vee Pak, Inc. truly made this a spectacular race to be remembered for years to come. We would also like to thank all the other individuals and organizations that helped to make the race possible especially BAPA. Finally, a last big thank you goes out to all the volunteers that gave up their evening to help ensure a safe and succesful event. See you all next year!

Beverly To Kick Off Super Week Cycling

Photo: Luke Seeman

Once again, Beverly will be the kick off of the 17 day International Cycling Classic also known as Super Week. The Pro 1/2 race will be run on the newly paved course and feature 100 laps on the 1 kilometer course. Look for the hill up 108th to really take its toll and whittle the field down to the top contenders, and chew up any pretenders. A great place to check out the action is at the bottom of Snake Hill, where the fearless can launch themselves towards the finish line and get wealthy with all of the primes available.

2008 also marks the first year that the Beverly Bike-Vee Pak, Inc. Racing Team will be the presenting sponsor. We are thrilled to help support this great race in our very own neighborhood. Year in and year out the residents of not only Beverly, but the City of Chicago, open their arms and doors to cyclists from all over the world. I know several non-cycling families that have graciously offered their homes to cyclists from the other side of the globe. By becoming the presenting sponsor of the race BBVP hopes to show the rest of Chicago what the Beverly neighborhood has to offer. The race brings out the best of the neighborhood, nearly the enitire course is lined with homes having parties, and the start finish area is a party unto itself complete with live music for the duration of the race.

For those Chicagoans unfamiliar with the Beverly neighborhood, more info can be found here . And unlike 2007, construction on the Dan Ryan Expressway (I94 East) has been completed and the commute should be about 20-25 minutes from the loop even during rush hour.


The Beverly Bike-Vee Pak, Inc. Racing Team would like to thank the following businesses and individuals for their continued support in an event and sport that we truly love especially Beverly Bike & Ski, Vee Pak, Inc. and BAPA.

TITLE SPONSOR
Beverly Bike/VeePak Racing

GOLD SPONSORS
The McTigue Financial Group – Thomas A. Jacobs, CLU, CLTC
William Blair & Company - Salvino Financial Advisory Team

SILVER SPONSOR
Corporate Safe Specialists - Ed & Lori McGunn

BRONZE SPONSORS
AT&T
County Fair Foods
Beverly Bank and Trust Co.
Marquette Bank

COMMUNITY SPONSORS
Alderman Ginger Rugai, 19th Ward
Beacon Therapeutic School
Beverly Hills Animal Hospital
Jungle Gym
Little Company of Mary Hospital
Matthew J. O'Shea - 19th Ward Democratic Organization
PRS Realtors
Rogers Roofing Inc.
Smith Village
Southwest Beverly Improvement Assoc.
State Senator Ed Maloney
The Beverly Review

PARTICIPATING SPONSORS
Advocate Health Center
Beverly Ride On
Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart
Fitzgerald Real Estate
Law Offices of Michael P. McCready & Associates
O'Rourke & Frost
Standard Bank & Trust
State Representative Kevin Joyce

Food Vendors
Calabria Imports
Original Rainbow Cone

New Photos Added to Flickr

Click here or on the Flickr slideshow at the right to view the latest team photos. We should be adding more as SuperWeek progresses, check back often.

Chicago Cyclocross Cup Schedule Is Out

According to this new schedule we will be looking at a total of 11 races! This season is going to be absolutely incredible with racing every single weekend in both October and November. Keep checking the series website for updated info as it becomes available.

2008 CHICAGO CYCLOCROSS CUP SCHEDULE

Sat September 13-CX Clinic (TBD)
Sun September 21-Jackson Park
Sun October 5- DeKalb
Sun October 12-Hawthorn Woods
Sun October 19-Carpentersville
Sun October 26-Bartlett
Sun November 2-St. Charles
Sat November 8-TBD
Sun November 9-Northbrook
Sun November 16-Lansing
Sun November 23-Woodstock
Sun December 7-Montrose-IL State Cyclocross Championships
Dates subject to change
USA Cycling Event Permit Pending

RACE TIMES

10:00 Masters 30+ (60 min)
10:02 Masters 40+ (all 45)
10:02 Masters 50+

11:00 Cat. 3 (All 45 min)
11:02 Women 1/2/3

12:00 Women 4 (all 30 min)
12:02 Juniors

1:00 Men 1/2/3 (60 min)

2:15 Men 4a (30 min)

3:00 Men 4b (30 min)
Race times subject to change